The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been spotted holding what appears to be a Chinese foldable smartphone. This sighting highlights how members of the country's ruling class often use the latest smartphone technologies. If imported from China, the device could violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
A photo published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday showed Kim Yo-jong holding what appeared to be a foldable smartphone during an inspection of a newly built regional hospital with Kim Jong-un on Saturday. The device resembles a foldable model from Chinese firm Honor's Magic series. The image offers only a rough view, without clear details on the manufacturer, though it seems to be a Chinese model.
A pro-North Korean news outlet in Japan has claimed that North Korea produces smartphones under its own brand. This incident underscores how the ruling elite frequently access cutting-edge technology, similar to 2023 photos showing Kim Jong-un and party vice director Hyon Song-wol with unidentified foldable phones.
If imported from China, the phone could breach United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397, which bans the supply of electrical equipment to North Korea due to concerns over foreign currency earnings and technology acquisition. Despite sanctions, North Korea continues to seek advanced devices, prompting heightened international scrutiny.
